Animals > Aquatic Animals  

Aquatic Animal Health Division

The National Aquatic Animal Health Program (NAAHP) is a science-based regulatory program for aquatic animal diseases which have been designated reportable or notifiable in Canada because of their potential impact on trade and our economy. The program consists of measures needed to prevent, control and/or eradicate aquatic animal diseases of concern. The NAAHP is modeled after Canada's internationally recognized terrestrial animal health program, and will respect the health measures of the Aquatic Animal Health Code of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE).

NAAHP is comprised of the following key elements for listed diseases of concern:

• Listing of aquatic animal diseases meeting international and national criteria for mandatory reporting
• Legislation, regulations and policies
• Surveillance (early detection), monitoring and reporting
• Zonation (regionalization)
• Disease databases
• Laboratory diagnostic testing and capacity building
• Quality Assurance/Quality Control
• Scientific research and technology development
• Import controls
• Export certification
• International relationships (influencing setting of standards, trade negotiations)
• Contingency planning
• Disease control and eradication (containment standards and quarantine, disease preparedness and response etc.)
• Education and training
• Risk analysis
• Awareness
• Animal welfare
• Record keeping (tracking and tracing)
• Codes of practice
• Hatchery Program